RCPCH Conference 2024 - Abstract submission FAQs

Abstract submission is closed and we are not able to accept late entries. If you did submit an abstract, we are notifying you of the outcome in late January.
Repeated child icon on orange background

What are the key dates and when will I find out if my submitted abstract has been accepted?

We are notifying authors of the outcome of their submission in late January.

If the abstract is accepted, you will also be notified about whether it has been allocated as a poster or oral presentation (described below). We are not able to provide updates on your submission before this.

Notification of outcome of submission End of January
Deadline to confirm acceptance and presenting author  Early February
Deadline for presenting author to register for Conference 12 February 2024

How do I view the abstract I submitted? 

If you wish to view your submitted abstract, log in to the abstract management portal.

This is only available to the person who submitted the abstract, and who is the main contact for the submission.

Do I have to pay to attend if my abstract is accepted? 

It is mandatory for the presenting author to attend the conference and pay the registration fee that applies to them. This condition was agreed upon by the main submitter at the time of abstract submission. In fact, the submitter would not have been able to proceed with the submission without accepting this condition.

If your abstract is accepted as an oral presentation or physical poster, the presenting author will be required to attend in-person. If the abstract is accepted as an ePoster, the presenting author has the option to attend virtually. 

What are the fees to attend the conference?

Registration is now open, and you can book on super early-bird rates - a 20% discount - until Monday 4 December.

See delegate rates on Booking your place.

What are the presentation opportunities? 

At the time of submission, you were asked to select your presentation preference. The options were ePoster, physical poster, both physical and ePoster or oral presentation. There was also the option to select 'Any'. You were also asked to submit your abstract to a specialty category (these are listed below).

If your abstract is accepted, the organisers from your chosen specialty category will decide which format it will take and will cater to your preference where appropriate and possible.

ePoster presentation 

Delegates will be able to send you questions about your poster through the virtual platform and app. ePoster presenters will have the option to chat with delegates via messaging, discussion boards and even through video calls. ePosters will be accessible for six months after the Conference, maximising the amount of time delegates have to engage with your work. Full details and poster templates will be sent following acceptance.

ePoster presenters have the option to attend either in person or to select the virtual attendance option. 

If you are accepted to present an ePoster, see guidelines

Physical poster presentation

You will be able to present your work, meet fellow poster presenters and delegates and answer their questions in person. Full details and a poster template will be sent following acceptance. Physical posters will be displayed in the Exhibition Hall in designated zones.

You will be responsible for:

  • producing your poster (A0)
  • sourcing a supplier to print your poster
  • bringing the poster with you to the venue
  • putting your poster up to be displayed in the designated zone

Physical poster presenters will be required to attend the Conference in person on the day the poster has been allocated to. 

If you are accepted to present a physical poster, see guidelines

Both ePoster and Physical poster presentation

You will have the option to present your ePoster through the virtual platform and app but also a physical poster in person in Birmingham. The presenter will be required to attend the Conference in person on the day the poster has been allocated to. The presenter is not required to book on separately for virtual attendance as they will already have access to the conference app.

Oral presentation

If selected for oral presentation, you will present your abstract at the speciality group session which it has been submitted to. The time and date of your presentation will be included in your notification email in late January. 

Oral presenters will be required to attend the Conference in person and there is no option for presenters to dial in so the 'presenting' author must be able to attend in person on the allocated day. 

Plenary presentation

You do not have the option select 'plenary presentation' as a preferred option as these are selected by the Conference Organsing Committee. The top scoring abstract from each group will be reviewed by the Committee who will then select nine for the coveted plenary presentation slots. This is an exciting opportunity for authors to present their work to the main auditorium during the plenary sessions. Those selected for plenary presentation will be required to attend in person.

What were the speciality categories?

Association of Paediatric Emergency Medicine

The Association of Paediatric Emergency Medicine is a charity affiliated to the RCPCH, promoting excellence, training and research into Paediatric Emergency Medicine. The Association of Paediatric Emergency Medicine would like to read about any work that has made a difference to the acute/emergency care pathway for children and young people. 

Association of Paediatric Palliative Medicine

APPM represents all doctors, nurses and allied health professionals working in the area of Paediatric Palliative Medicine, in hospital, hospice and community settings. It seeks to support practice and training for all doctors and other health professionals working in this area of medicine.

We are delighted that there has been such open discussion within RCPCH about the importance of kindness and wellbeing. Whilst the holistic well-being of life-limited infants, children & young people and their families is our core business, palliative medicine also requires careful consideration of the well-being of those professionals involved from all disciplines. We welcome abstracts relating to improving the well-being of patients, their families and/or health professionals within the delivery of palliative and end of life care.

British Academy of Childhood Disability

BACD is a membership organisation open to all professionals working in the field of childhood disability. This includes paediatricians, mental health professionals, specialist nurses, allied health professionals, and professionals working in the education and social care sectors. We welcome abstracts relating to improving the well-being of young people in care or with disabilities and/or community paediatricians and out workforce.

British Association for Community Child Health

The British Association for Community Child Health (BACCH) is the professional membership organisation for doctors and other professionals working in paediatrics and child health in the community. BACCH’s vision is to promote and protect the good health of children and their families in their communities. BACCH represents the largest paediatrics sub-specialty.

British Association for Paediatric Nephrology

BAPN is a division of The Renal Association. The group welcomes abstracts relating to working or training in renal units, caring for patients with kidney disease, and renal research to improve patient care in the future. BAPN is open to all professionals working towards improving the care and lives of children with kidney diseases.

British Association of Child and Adolescent Public Health

The British Association of Child and Adolescent Public Health welcomes abstracts relating to improving the health and well-being of CYP by reducing inequities and unacceptable variations in health and care that affect children and families and using resources wisely and ethically, supporting sustainable development to secure the health and wellbeing of future generations too.

British Association of General Paediatrics

The vast majority of RCPCH members work as acute and general paediatricians and the BAGP represents and showcases the varied work that this group provides. We welcome submissions that are relevant to clinicians working on wards, outpatients and emergency departments in District General Hospitals as well as Teaching Hospitals with a specialist acute and general paediatric team.

British Association of Paediatricians in Audiology

Inaugurated in 2007, BAPA is an association of paediatricians practising audio-vestibular (AV) medicine. BAPA represents all paediatricians who share an interest in children’s hearing seeks to be at the forefront of professional development in the field of paediatric AV medicine. We have an additional role as a special interest group of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). With the College, we help with workforce planning, specialist training and development of competencies and standards for the paediatric speciality of AV medicine. We would welcome abstract submissions – to be considered –  with a paediatric audiology theme for the upcoming RCPCH annual conference.

British Association of Perinatal Medicine and Neonatal Society

BAPM aims to improve standards of perinatal care by supporting all those involved in perinatal care to optimise their skills and knowledge, promote high quality, safe and innovative practice, encourage research, and speak out for the needs of babies and their families.  We are a membership organisation representing over 1700 professionals that work in perinatal care including neonatal and obstetric doctors, nurses, ANNPs, midwives, managers and allied health professionals. By contributing to BAPM’s work programme you can change the way perinatal care is delivered in the future.  
The Neonatal Society brings together scientists and clinicians with an interest in the fetus and newborn. The object of the Society is the promotion of Neonatal Science. The Society has a well-established track record of fostering new research by the award of prizes to leading young investigators, as well as a student research bursary.

British Inherited Metabolic Disease Group

Paediatric metabolic medicine is a subspecialty area of paediatrics caring for children with rare inherited disorders, that affect normal cellular biochemical homeostasis.  While the individual frequency of each is often exceedingly rare, given that there are more than a thousand such genetic disorders, their combined incidence is significant.  This diversity creates diagnostic challenges. Management of these conditions is also complex and requires a truly multidisciplinary team working.  Metabolic medicine is a cutting-edge specialty which is very research driven. Better understanding of these rare disorders and advancing the development of the new treatments are essential for the improvement of clinical outcomes for pafamilies. 

British Paediatric Allergy Immunity and Infection Group

The British Paediatric Allergy  Infection and Immunity Group encompasses health professionals working and training in allergy, immunology and infections. We welcome abstracts for original research, case presentations, case series, audits or review of topics relevant to allergies, infections and immunodeficiencies in children and young people. Every year we receive high numbers of high quality abstracts from all over the UK and the World and are always very excited to hear what is going on where you work. This is a great opportunity to present your work to general and specialty paediatricians, our sessions always attracts very high numbers of participants!

British Paediatric and Adolescent Bone Group

The British Paediatric & Adolescent Bone Group (BPABG) represents clinicians, Nurses and Allied Health Care Professionals who manage children and adolescents with bone and mineral disorders. We are research active group and support many subspecialities in managing problems related to bone health. We have been regularly organising our sessions at the RCPCH conference with excellent feedback from the delegates. 

British Paediatric Neurology Association


The British Paediatric Neurology Association (BPNA) is the professional organisation for clinicians who specialise in the care of children with neurological disorders. The BPNA is aiming to promote the health and well-being of children with neurological disorders through training and education of professionals working in the field of neurosciences, research into neurological disorders affecting children & young people, improvement of knowledge of professionals, the public and patients and their families through scientific meetings and providing support to members to facilitate the delivery of the above objectives.  BPNA welcomes abstracts relating to the care of children with neurological disorders, paediatric neurodisability and allied neurosciences. 

British Paediatric Respiratory Society

BPRS, is a multidisciplinary organisation which exists to promote the respiratory health of all children and to improve the health of children with respiratory disease .BPRS members look after children with a wide range of respiratory ailments at all stages of childhood.These include  chronic lung disease of prematurity ,chronic conditions like Asthma and Cystic fibrosis, rare lung diseases (cHILD) as well as congenital airway and lung malformations.Our speciality works in close liaison with colleagues in other specialities most notably in the Paediatric Critical care unit.We are strong advocates for health promotion and prevention of disease in areas which impact respiratory health like air pollution and tobacco smoke.

British Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Dermatology

The British Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Dermatology (BSPAD) is a special interest group of the British Association of Dermatology (BAD) which is a professional interest group for children and young people with skin conditions (including hair) 

British Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (known as BSPGHAN), the national, professional and academic society which represents specialty colleagues working for infants, children and young people with digestive and liver disorders. 

British Society for Rheumatology

British Society for Rheumatology is the leading UK specialist medical society for rheumatology and musculoskeletal care professionals.
We support our members to deliver the best care at all stages of the care pathway, improving the lives of children and adults with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease.

British Society for the History of Paediatrics and Child Health

The BSHPCH is looking for abstracts dealing with the history of childhood illness and treatment, historical aspects of child health including social and educational issues and biographical accounts of paediatric and other pioneers involved in childcare. However, other topics of historical interest within this general framework would be welcome.

British Society of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes

The British Society of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes welcomes abstracts relating to improving the care of children and young people with endocrine disorders and diabetes mellitus. They bring together professionals from a range of disciplines, including tertiary paediatric endocrinologists and diabetologists, general paediatricians with an interest in endocrinology and/or diabetes, researchers, nurses and other healthcare professionals involved in the care of these patients.

Child Protection Special Interest Group

The Child Protection Special Interest Group welcome abstracts relating to emerging themes in child protection and safeguarding, in particular issues impacting vulnerable children and young people, and exploring the latest Child Protection evidence.

Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group

The Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group is the UK’s professional body for paediatric oncology. Submitted abstracts should be focussed on paediatric oncology research and/or topics useful to paediatric oncology practice in the UK including in shared care centres.

Climate Change Working Group

The RCPCH Climate Change Working Group is a group of 80 passionate College members working to deliver the RCPCH Climate Change Action Plan. Children are among the most vulnerable to the health risks of climate change and we’re looking at what we can all do to both mitigate and adapt to climate change for the benefit of future generations. Our ambitions for tackling climate change are broad, covering advocating for change in the UK and internationally, research into the impact of climate change on children and young people, achieving net zero in the NHS, initiatives to make paediatrics more sustainable, and talking to patients and families about this topic. We welcome abstracts from across any of these areas.

Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group

DSMIG promotes equitable provision of medical care for people with Down syndrome disseminating information about medical aspects of the syndrome and promoting interest in its specialist management. They welcome abstracts relating to medical care for children and young people with Down syndrome.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Member Reference Group

This is a group of 20 College members who have experience and/or interest in all matters relating to EDI. They are a passionate and driven group who have helped shape the RCPCH’s EDI strategy over the last 3 years. They provide valuable insight on the most important matters affecting Paediatricians and their experiences while in training and in the workplace, as well as advocating for better outcomes for children and young people affected by health inequalities. The group welcomes abstracts about initiatives or projects to create more inclusive environments, tackle health inequalities and improve the working lives of Paediatricians.

Ethics and Law Advisory Committee

The Ethics and Law Advisory Committee will this year be hosting our special interest session.
The group welcomes members from across the child health team whether paediatricians, nurses, allied health professionals, general practitioners, surgeons or others. Non-healthcare members including those involved in child health law, bioethics and other professions involved in the ethical and legal issues pertaining to children are also most welcome.
Abstracts on issue involving ethics or law in paediatrics and child health are welcome.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Member Reference Group

The RCPCH equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) member reference group is a group of 20 College members who have experience and/or interest in all matters relating to EDI. They are a passionate and driven group who have helped shape the RCPCH’s EDI strategy over the last 3 years. They provide valuable insight on the most important matters affecting Paediatricians and their experiences while in training and in the workplace, as well as advocating for better outcomes for children and young people affected by health inequalities. The group welcomes abstracts about initiatives or projects to create more inclusive environments, tackle health inequalities and improve the working lives of Paediatricians.

George Still Forum –ADHD and related neurodevelopmental disorder group

George Still Forum was founded in 2006 by Paediatricians who found themselves looking  after children with developmental-behavioural difficulties. George Still Forum is an academic platform by Community Paediatricians for their further education in the field of ADHD and related subjects like Autism, Sleep Problems in children, related Neuroscience, Child Development and Child Psychology.
Over the years there has been significant advancements in the understanding  of the condition its  aetiology, pathology and management. The Forum has  propagated knowledge to all professionals  working with children through conferences. We have made contribution in the development of NICE guidelines. We have also been linked with International Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , Royal College of Psychiatry and American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Our mission remains encouraging professionals of all backgrounds working in the field of Developmental Paediatrics to come together and share their work/experience for the ultimate benefit of the children out in the community. 

International Child Health Group

ICHG is a special interest group of the RCPCH. It is a group for paediatricians and health professionals with an interest in improving global child health.
It was formed in the 1970s as the Tropical Paediatric Group, with paediatricians who had worked in the developing world forming the nucleus of its membership. In 1986, the Tropical Paediatric Group became the International Child Health Group. Today it boasts an international membership and continues to work in promoting all aspects of international child health, from research to advocacy.
Its main areas of focus are on:

  1. Education & Training
  2. Advocacy
  3. Research

ICHG disseminates information on global health and group updates through an electronic newsletter to its members, runs advocacy campaigns, has a Global Health Mentorship Scheme, produces webinars and a podcast, has annual small grant schemes and has two meetings per year.

Paediatric clinical leaders: service planning, provision and best practice

The paediatric clinical leaders session is covers key issues and developments related to child health service planning, provision and best practice. The group welcomes abstracts relating issues that matter to paediatric clinical leaders in planning and delivering services for children and young people, including service design, workforce, clinical governance, quality improvement, and engaging with children and young people.

Paediatric Critical Care Society

The Paediatric Critical Care Society welcomes abstracts relating to paediatric intensive care, transport and high dependency care as well as operational delivery networks.

Paediatric Educators' Special Interest Group

PEdSIG is a group of healthcare professionals with an interest in paediatric education.
PEdSIG is all about promoting paediatric education (undergraduate and postgraduate). We are keen to support those involved in paediatric education through meetings, social media, written resources and by building a network of paediatricians who want to inspire through great teaching and education. Through our link with the College, we aim to influence and contribute to the wider paediatric education agenda.
We also promote educational research and scholarship in paediatrics through our conferences, grants and mentorship network.

Paediatric Mental Health Association

We are a multi professional group interested in improving holistic care for children and young people and also improving integrated physical and mental health. This includes training and education, advocacy and policy. 

Paediatric Special Interest Group: British Society of Haematology

The British Society of Haematology welcomes abstracts relating to haematology, haemato-oncology and childhood blood disorders.

Paediatricians with Expertise in Cardiology Special Interest Group

The Paediatrician with Expertise in Cardiology Special Interest Group accepts a large number of high quality abstracts each year. They welcome abstracts from paediatricians, neonatologists, paediatric cardiologists, trainees, medical students, cardiac nurse specialists and echo technicians related to paediatric cardiology.

Quality Improvement and Patient Safety

The group welcomes abstracts relating to quality improvement, developing solutions for children and young people, and their families.

Trainees Oversight Committee

The Trainees Oversight Committee welcomes abstracts about research or projects that have impacted on the training, education, career prospects, quality of life or wellbeing of postgraduate doctors in training in paediatrics, as well as about imaginative projects done by paediatric trainees. If it's done by paediatric doctors in training or for paediatric doctors in training, we want to hear about it!

We are committed to improving satisfaction and success in training for our colleagues and peers, and we want to hear about your research, your initiatives, and your experiences. We have a particular interest in inclusion, equality and diversity. Send us your abstracts! Previous sessions have included projects to involve junior doctors in research; "stepping up" sessions and initiatives to improve exam or interview success; multicentre audits run by doctors in training; schemes designed by international medical graduates for international medical graduates; wellbeing projects; experiences of doctors with disabilities.

Young People's Health Special Interest Group

The YPHSIG aims to raise the profile of young people's health and promote the development of high quality health services for young people in the UK. We are an association of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and membership is open to paediatricians and other healthcare professionals working with young people.

Where are the abstracts published?

All submissions that are accepted for presentation will be published in the online supplement and the online publication of our journal, Archives of Disease in Childhood.

How do I withdraw my abstract?

If you need to withdraw your abstract, you will need to contact our delivery partners Wonderly, part of the Haymarket Media Group at rcpch.submissions@haymarket.com. Please quote your full abstract title and abstract ID number in any communications with them, as this will help locate your submission.